Nonsensical is a word that refers to something that is foolish or irrational. Its spelling is somewhat tricky, as it has four syllables and a combination of consonants that can be challenging to pronounce. The IPA phonetic transcription for nonsensical is /ˌnɒnˈsensɪk(ə)l/, with emphasis on the second syllable. This helps to break down the word into its individual sounds: non-, sen-, si-, and -cal. By using IPA phonetic transcription, it becomes easier to understand the correct pronunciation of this word.
The adjective "nonsensical" pertains to something that lacks coherence, logic, or meaning. It refers to ideas, statements, actions, or situations that are absurd, illogical, or devoid of sense. When describing a nonsensical event or situation, it implies a lack of rationality or reasonability. Nonsensical discourse or conversation implies a lack of lucidity or coherence, often characterized by a jumble of disconnected or incomprehensible ideas. Similarly, nonsensical behavior or actions entail actions that are irrational, perplexing, or contrary to common sense.
Nonsensical can also describe something that is comedic or whimsical in nature, deriving humor from illogical or absurd concepts. In this context, it often encompasses playful or imaginative creations that deliberately defy logic, aiming to entertain through nonsensical twists and turns. Such nonsensical creations are mostly found in humor, literature, or artwork where the intention is to provoke laughter or to create a sense of absurdity.
Overall, the term nonsensical encapsulates the lack of reason, coherence, or logic in ideas, statements, actions, or situations. Whether applied to something utterly bewildering or purposefully illogical for comedic effect, unsoundness and a lack of rationale lie at the core of the concept.
Unmeaning; foolish.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word nonsensical is formed from the combination of two elements: non- and sensical.
The prefix non- is derived from the Latin word non, meaning not or without. It is commonly used in English to negate the meaning of a word or to indicate the absence of a particular quality or characteristic.
The word sensical is derived from the noun sense, which originated from the Latin word sensus, meaning perception or feeling. In English, sense refers to the ability to perceive or comprehend things, as well as sound judgment or reasoning.
By adding the prefix non- to sensical, the word nonsensical is formed, meaning without sense or lacking in logical meaning or coherence.